Classical China Qin, Han Dynasties World History Foundations: 600 BCE - 600 CE

Chinese Dynasties Shang - Ancient Zhou - Ancient Qin - Classical Han - Classical Sui – Post Classical Tang – Post Classical Song – Post Classical Yuan - Mongolian Ming – Early Modern Qing – 1700s-1800s Republic – Early 20th century

Era of Warring States: 402 BCE - 201 BCE Chinese Dynasties Era of Warring States: 402 BCE - 201 BCE Qin: 221 - 202 BCE Han: 202 BCE - 220 CE

Mandate of Heaven Belief that the heavens transfer their power to a specific family in China that is meant to establish a dynasty and rule the region Emperors were Sons of Heaven Justification for Political Authority

Chinese Dynastic Cycle New family establishes dynasty New institutions, Economy, Unities China Authority passed on Here Dynasty grows weak Internal rebellions and/or external rebellions New dynasty emerges

Chinese Dynasties Shang - Ancient Zhou - Ancient Qin - Classical Han - Classical Sui – Post Classical Tang – Post Classical Song – Post Classical Yuan - Mongolian Ming – Early Modern Qing – 1700s-1800s Republic – Early 20th century

Warring States Period ‘Era of 100 Philosophers’ (5th Century BCE - 221BCE)

Period of ‘100 Philosophers’ Politics – conflict and corruption Constant War and Fighting over land and power Aristocratic court system bred corruption Society – recession and hardship Deteriorated in the wake of incessant violence Families lost estates, wealth and social status Economy – crippled and unorganized Lack of universal systems Fear of raiding armies Inequalities in states’ resource wealth

Rise of Chinese Philosophies Develop to fix the problems that faced China during between dynasties Confucianism Daoism/Taoism Legalism

Qin Dynasty Unifying China under an Iron Fist (221 BCE - 206BCE)

Shi Huangdi (meaning first emperor) Unified China Politically Economically Socially/Culturally Legalism philosophy Ruled with harsh punishments Constructed monumental projects Great wall of China Terracotta Warriors

The Qin Unifications in China Politically Unifies China Emperor had complete control over all aspects of society Use of brutality and force to accomplish goals National census Single law code Executed all competition

The Qin Unifications in China Economically Conscripted Labor Promoted Silk production Standardized Monetary System Weights and Measurements Vehicles track and road width Built up infrastructure

The Qin Unifications in China Socially/Culturally Common Written Language Tried to remove all history of rival kingdoms in China Burned & Banned Books Executed Confucian Scholars

Monumental Projects Conscripted labor – every male had to work on government projects for one month a year Defensive Projects Great Wall Water Projects Lingqu Canal, Dujiangyan Reservoir, and Zhengguo Canal. Personal Projects Mausoleum, Terracotta Warriors

Why did the Qin Dynasty Fall? Shi Huangdi Extremely paranoid; killed off suspected enemies (nobles, intellectuals, warlords) Desire to control EVERYTHING High taxes, forced labor, harsh laws Shi Huangdi dies in 210 BCE; followed by 8 years of peasant revolts to determine successor - winner establishes Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty of China: A Chinese Golden Age Image courtesy of Wikipedia. (206 BCE-220 CE) © Student Handouts, Inc.

Expansion of the Han Imperial Empire Centralized bureaucracy Spread it boundaries by conquering neighbors Korea Vietnam Manchuria Centralized bureaucracy Well organized Examination system Used locals to govern locals

Chinese Bureaucracy Departmentalizing Civil Servants Departments Emperor Emperor Rules from the Capital City Tax Revenue (Decide how much to tax) Tax Collectors Record Keepers Military (Decide the direction of the military) Generals (Train armies, carry out missions)

Chinese Centralized Government Locally Regionally Centrally Emperor runs whole empire One Governor in region w/ departments Many Officials for each City - work in departments performing government tasks Many Officials in Rural Areas work in departments performing government tasks Governors Focus on maintaining law, taxes, economy and building public works Officials enforce the law, taxes, economic regulations and design public works

Civil Service under the Han Over 130,000 employees 18 ranks of employees Civil service exams Formal examinations in Confucianism, history, law, and literature for civil service positions Theoretically a merit-based system But poor could not afford to educate their children In effect until the downfall of China’s last dynasty in 1912*

Society in Classical China Legalism under Qin Very tough life – especially on peasants Confucianism under Han People preferred living under Confucian philosophy Lasting Trends in China Examination system Peasant conscription Taxation of resources

Commerce and Trade under the Han Government had monopolies Salt mining Iron forging Coin minting Alcohol brewing Growth of trade along the Silk Roads Cultural diffusion Trade goods reflected the many cultures across this trading region

Technology under the Han Invented in 105 CE Books became inexpensive to produce; expanded education Bureaucracy grew and became more efficient Paper Horses could carry heavier loads Best harness available at the time worldwide Collar harness The Chinese made one with two blades Much more efficient Plow Invented independently (Greeks had invented as well) Central wheel and axle let Chinese wheelbarrows carry very heavy weights Wheelbarrow Used to power things such as the bellows for smelting iron Waterwheel